Netflix names former Disney executive Peter Rice content chief as Bela Bajaria leaves

Netflix has appointed Peter Rice, the former chairman of Walt Disney Television, as its chief content officer, effective 26 October, the company announced on Thursday (US time). He replaces Bela Bajaria, who is leaving after nearly 10 years.

Rice will lead Netflix’s global content organisation, overseeing scripted and unscripted series, film and live events across all regions, the company said.

“Peter is one of the most effective at-scale operators in the entertainment industry,” co-chief executive Ted Sarandos said. Sarandos thanked Bajaria for “a decade of dedication, innovation, creativity and leadership”, saying she had helped expand unscripted programming and launch live events and sports.

Rice previously oversaw ABC, Fox Broadcasting, FX, Hulu and National Geographic, among other networks, at Disney, and earlier ran Fox Searchlight Pictures. Variety noted he was ousted from Disney in 2022 by then chief executive Bob Chapek.

Bajaria joined Netflix in 2016 and became chief content officer in January 2023. Variety reported that her exit came during a week in which Netflix laid off about 1,000 employees, or 6% of its workforce, its largest round of job cuts to date.

Netflix is due to report third-quarter results after the US market close on Tuesday.